On This Day

US Patent Office grants patent #268503 for the exclusive right to make, use, or sell "animal-shaped buildings" to James

US Patent Office grants patent #268503 for the exclusive right to make, use, or sell "animal-shaped buildings" to James V. Lafferty of Philadelphia; three novelty elephants are built: Elephant Bazaar in South Atlantic City, New Jersey (1881); Light of Asia in South Cape May, New Jersey (1884); and E

US Patent Office grants patent #268503 for the exclusive right to make, use, or sell "animal-shaped buildings" to James V. Lafferty of Philadelphia; three novelty elephants are built: Elephant Bazaar in South Atlantic City, New Jersey (1881); Light of Asia in South Cape May, New Jersey (1884); and Elephantine Colossus in Coney Island, New York (1885) [1]

Events Before

  1. Ridden by outstanding English jockey Fred Archer, Iroquois wins the Epsom Derby to become the first American-owned and b

    Ridden by outstanding English jockey Fred Archer, Iroquois wins the Epsom Derby to become the first American-owned and bred horse to win a European classic race

  2. Sioux Indian Chief Sitting Bull surrenders to US federal troops at Fort Buford in the Territory of Montana [1] [2]

    Sitting Bull was a Hunkpapa Lakota leader who led his people during years of resistance against United States government policies. Sitting Bull was killed by Indian agency police accompanied by U.S.

  3. Cleopatra's Needle, a 3,500-year-old Ancient Egyptian obelisk, is erected in Central Park, New York [1]

    Cleopatra's Needle, a 3,500-year-old Ancient Egyptian obelisk, is erected in Central Park, New York [1]

  4. Union of Baptists Communities forms in Foxholl

    Union of Baptists Communities forms in Foxholl

  5. Battle at Laing's Neck Natal: Boers beat superior powered British

    Battle at Laing's Neck Natal: Boers beat superior powered British

Events After

  1. The first electric lighting system employing overhead wires, built by Thomas Edison, begins service at Roselle, New Jers

    The first electric lighting system employing overhead wires, built by Thomas Edison, begins service at Roselle, New Jersey

  2. Bob Rogers is acknowledged as the first American pro sports trainer when he is hired by the NY Athletic Club

    Bob Rogers is acknowledged as the first American pro sports trainer when he is hired by the NY Athletic Club

  3. US Senator Albert B. Fall (21) weds Emma Garland Morgan in Clarksville, Texas

    US Senator Albert B. Fall (21) weds Emma Garland Morgan in Clarksville, Texas

  4. Brooklyn Bridge is opened by President Chester A. Arthur and NY Governor Grover Cleveland

    Brooklyn Bridge is opened by President Chester A. Arthur and NY Governor Grover Cleveland

  5. Krakatoa volcano, located west of Java in Indonesia, erupts with a force of 200 megatons of TNT, killing approximately 3

    Krakatoa volcano, located west of Java in Indonesia, erupts with a force of 200 megatons of TNT, killing approximately 36,000 people

More from the 1880s

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on December 5, 1882?
US Patent Office grants patent #268503 for the exclusive right to make, use, or sell "animal-shaped buildings" to James V. Lafferty of Philadelphia; three novelty elephants are built: Elephant Bazaar in South Atlantic City, New Jersey (1881); Light of Asia in South Cape May, New Jersey (1884); and Elephantine Colossus in Coney Island, New York (1885) [1]
Why is US Patent Office grants patent #268503 for the exclusive right to make, use, ... historically important?
Lafferty of Philadelphia; three novelty elephants are built: Elephant Bazaar in South Atlantic City, New Jersey (1881); Light of Asia in South Cape May, New Jersey (1884); and Elephantine Colossus in Coney Island, New York (1885) [1]

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